cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r  ˈkä- 

-lē-

often attributive

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers

also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Examples of cauliflower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Save Getting a Pap smear isn’t among my favorite things to do, ranking somewhere between eating cauliflower (ugh) and going to the dentist (worse). —Gemma Correll, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

As part of the brassica (aka cruciferous) vegetable family, broccoli is a cousin to cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and romanesco. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2024

Chicago-style giardiniera is often a mix of cauliflower, carrots, celery and chile peppers chopped much smaller, pickled, then packed in oil. —Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, a carbohydrate found naturally in foods such as cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, plums, raspberries and strawberries. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cauliflower

• cauliflower ear

Kids Definition

cauliflower

noun

cau·​li·​flow·​er ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r 

: a garden plant closely related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers